A Kenyan senator, Gloria Orwoba, has admonished the basic school female students of Ayawaso North Module School to appreciate their menstruation periods.
Speaking at a community outreach on social and behavioral change on the theme ‘Making Menstruation a Normal Fact by 2030,’ Honourable Orwoba explained that humanity exists as a result of menstruation.
“Do not be shamed, and do not be confused by the fact that you are having your period.”
“You must be proud that you are having your period because, without your period, there will be no humanity,” she disclosed.
She furthered that female students should not be confused by their “sugar daddies” and boyfriends, who may stigmatize them during their menstruation period.
The senator also charged them to believe in themselves as girl children, as they can also do what the male children do.
“Anything that all the boys can do, and anything that all the men can do, and anything that every single human being can do here, I can do bleeding,” she stated.
She again urged the male students to be supporters of their female colleagues during their menstruation periods and not shame them.
The Vice President of the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, Dr. Gifty Medeama, also encouraged the female students not to stay away from school while having their periods.
Dr. Medeama, however, advised them to seek consultation from parents, teachers, and nurses when they face issues with their periods, adding that personal hygiene is key during such periods.
“I want to tell you all, beautiful people here, that menstruation is not an illness and is not taboo. Your teachers are there to support you. You also don’t have to forget about handwashing during menstruation. Carry yourself well during and after menstruation,” she added.
On her part, the Municipal Girl Child Coordinator for Adentan Municipal, Madam Stephanie Mireku Asante, entreated the female students to take their education seriously to avoid trading their dignities for sanitary pads.
“Education is the only equalizer; if you are able to stay in school, complete well, and aspire higher, you can buy your sanitary pads without trading your dignity for sanitary pads,” Madam Stephanie highlighted.
There was a demonstration of the proper wearing of sanitary pads.
The Maamobi Community Outreach on Menstruation was organized by the Ayawaso North Education Directorate and the Girl Child Department in collaboration with the Maamobi General Hospital, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), and Curious Minds on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Unity Cluster of Schools Park, Maamobi.
